WORK-STRESS AND ITS MANAGEMENT AMONG SENIOR STAFF OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST

ABSTRACT

The prevalence of job stress among academic and general staff of universities across the globe is increasing as a result of remarkable organizational changes taking place in recent times. The University of Cape Coast, in its quest to strive for academic excellence has made performance expectations higher which the staff must contend with. It was alerted by the University management that, some staff hardly go on leave and so, casual leave had become rampant among them. This study was conducted to investigate whether job stress was prevalent among the senior staff of the University of Cape Coast. It focused on factors responsible for stress, symptoms, gender difference and coping strategies of the stress phenomenon.

Stratified random sampling was used to select 242 respondents. However, a total of 208 senior staff (122 males and 86 females) responded to the questionnaire. Sixteen interviewees selected randomly (12 Heads of Departments, 2 doctors and 2 counselors of the University) also participated in the study. The instrument for data collection involved a questionnaire and an interview guide.

The study discovered that respondents experienced both physiological and psychological symptoms of stress. Findings from the study indicate that respondents reported high levels of stress on interpersonal and environmental stressors. It was also evident that workload, lack of recognition for good effort, and inadequate opportunities for career development were prominent stressors among the respondents. However, there was no significant gender difference in relation to stress among the respondents. Basically, respondents adopted problem-focused and emotion-focused coping skills in the management of stress. The study therefore recommended among others that stress management interventions should be increased and taking of annual leave enforced.